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Teratozoospermia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Dr. Pujil Gulati, IVF Specialist with over 13 years of experience in Assisted Reproductive Techniques BabyBloom IVF Gurgaon

April 1, 2025

What Is Teratozoospermia?

Imagine tiny swimmers called sperm that help make babies. Normally, these swimmers have a nice oval head, a middle part, and a long tail to move fast. But sometimes, they don’t look right—they might have two heads, a bent tail, or a weird shape. When most of a man’s sperm look strange like this, it’s called teratozoospermia. This word sounds big, but it just means “funny-shaped sperm.”

Why does this matter? Sperm need to swim to an egg and break into it to start a baby. If they’re shaped wrong, they can’t do their job well. That’s why teratozoospermia can make it tough for a man to help his partner get pregnant. Doctors say if more than 96% of sperm look odd, it’s a problem. But don’t worry—there are ways to fix it!

Important Note: Teratozoospermia is when a man’s sperm are not shaped right, making it hard to have a baby. This article tells you why it happens, what signs to look for, and the best ways to fix it.

What Causes Teratozoospermia?

So, why do sperm turn out funny? There’s no one answer, but here are some big reasons:

1. Body Problems (Health Issues):

Sometimes, the body doesn’t work right. If a man has sugar problems (diabetes) or his hormones are mixed up, his sperm might not grow properly. Hormones are like tiny bosses that tell the body what to do. If they’re not happy, sperm shapes get messy.

Bad Habits:

Smoking cigarettes or drinking What Causes Teratozoospermia?

too much alcohol is like giving poison to sperm. These habits make them weak and weird-looking. Even sitting in hot places a lot, like a hot tub, can heat up the sperm factory (testicles) and mess them up.
Family Traits (Genes):
Sometimes, it’s in the family. If a man’s dad or grandpa had odd sperm, he might too. It’s like inheriting brown eyes or curly hair—only this time, it’s about sperm shape.
Sickness or Medicine:
If a man gets very sick, like with a high fever, or takes strong medicine (like for cancer), his sperm can change. The good news? This might go away after he gets better.
Outside Stuff (Environment):
Things like dirty air, chemicals, or even tight clothes can hurt sperm. Imagine sperm as tiny plants—if you don’t give them clean air and space, they won’t grow right.

What Are the Symptoms of Teratozoospermia?

Here’s a tricky part: teratozoospermia doesn’t shout, “Hey, I’m here!” It’s super quiet. You can’t feel it, see it, or hear it on your own. Most men don’t even know they have it until they try to have a baby and it doesn’t work.

The only big sign is trouble making a baby. If a couple tries for a long time—like a year—and nothing happens, doctors might check the man’s sperm. They use a special test called a semen analysis. It’s like putting sperm under a microscope to see if they look okay. If most don’t, that’s when they say, “You’ve got teratozoospermia.”

Sometimes, other clues pop up, like if a man feels sick a lot or has pain down there. But usually, it’s a sneaky problem you only find with a tests.

How Do Doctors Find It?

Doctors are like detectives for this. They use the semen analysis test to peek at sperm. Here’s how it works:

A man gives a small sample of his semen (the stuff sperm swim in).
The doctor looks at it with a microscope.
They count how many sperm look normal and how many look strange.

If less than 4% look normal, it’s teratozoospermia. They also check if sperm swim well or if there’s enough of them. This helps them figure out how big the problem is—mild, medium, or super tough.

Best Treatment Options for Teratozoospermia

Good news! Even if sperm look funny, there are ways to help. Here are the best fixes:

Change Your Life (Lifestyle Fixes):
Start with easy stuff. Quit smoking—it’s like kicking out a bully hurting your sperm. Eat good food, like fruits and veggies, to give sperm the vitamins they love. Exercise, sleep well, and stay cool down there (no hot tubs!). These changes can make sperm happier and healthier.
Medicine Help:
If hormones are the trouble, doctors can give pills or shots to fix them. Think of it like tuning a car—get the engine right, and sperm shape up. They might also give vitamins like Vitamin E or special helpers called antioxidants to fight bad stuff in the body.
Baby-Making Tricks (Fertility Treatments):
If simple fixes don’t work, doctors have cool tools:
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): They put sperm right near the egg, so funny shapes don’t matter as much. It’s like giving sperm a shortcut.
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): They mix sperm and egg in a lab, then put the baby start into the mom. It’s a big help for tougher cases.
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): They pick one good sperm and poke it into the egg. This is super strong for really weird sperm.
- IMSI: Like ICSI, but they use a super magnifying glass to find the best sperm. It’s extra careful!
Fix Body Problems:
If something like swollen veins (varicocele) is the cause, a small surgery can fix it. It’s like unclogging a pipe so sperm grow better.
Borrow Sperm (Donor Sperm):
If nothing works, a couple can use healthy sperm from someone else. It’s a backup plan to still have a baby.

Can You Still Have a Baby?

Yes! Even with teratozoospermia, many men become dads. If it’s mild, lifestyle changes might be enough for a natural baby. If it’s harder, treatments like ICSI work great. The key is talking to a doctor who knows this stuff. They’ll find the best path for you.

Tips to Keep Sperm Happy

Want to stop this problem before it starts? Try these:

Eat lots of fruits, nuts, and fish.
Don’t smoke or drink too much.
Wear loose clothes to keep things cool.
Stay away from chemicals or dirty air.
Relax—stress can hurt sperm too!

Final Thoughts

Teratozoospermia sounds scary, but it’s just sperm that didn’t grow right. It happens because of health, habits, or family stuff. You won’t feel it, but if a baby isn’t coming, a test can find it. The best part? There are tons of ways to fix it—from eating better to using doctor tricks like ICSI. So, don’t lose hope! With the right help, funny-shaped sperm won’t stop your family dreams. OR If you need any information related to IVF, contact our Babybloom IVF Centre or call us at 9266046700 to clear your doubt🌸